Harvesting machine for tobacco plants and the like



1951 c. L. SOWERS 2,564,614

HARVESTING MACHINE FOR TOBACCO PLANTS AND THE LIKE Filed May 10, 1949 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 CLYDE L. SowERs- Aug. 14, 1951 c. sowERs 2,564,614

HARVESTING MACHINE FOR TOBACCO PLANTS AND THE LIKE Filed May 10, 1949 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 CLYDE l .SowERs Aug. 14, 1951 c. sowERs 2,564,614

HARVESTING MACHINE FOR TOBACCO PLANTS AND THE LIKE Filed May 10, 1949 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR CLYDE L. SOWERS Aug. 14, 1951 c. sowERs 2,564,614

HARVESTING MACHINE FOR TOBACCO PLANTS AND THE LIKE Filed May 10, 1949 a Sheets-Sheet 4 lNVENTOR CLYDE L. SOWERS 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR CLYDE L. SOWERS an.) /I

C. L. SOWERS Aug. 14, 1951 HARVESTING MACHINE FOR TOBACCO PLANTS AND THE LIKE Filed May 10, 1949 Aug. 14, 1951 c. L. SOWERS 2,564,614

HARVESTING MACHINE FOR TOBACCO PLANTS AND THE LIKE Filed May 1o, 1949 s Sheets-Shet 7 l 7 INVENTOR CLYDE L.S0 wERs Aug. 14, 1951 c. L. SOWERS 2,564,514

HARVESTING MACHINE FOR TOBACCO PLANTS AND THE LIKE Filed May 10, 1949 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR CLYDE L.SowER' s x wzw wm patented Aug. 14,1951

OFFICE HARVESTING FDRTOBACCQ PLANTS AND THE LIKE.

Clyde L. Sowers, Palmyra, Pa. Application May'1'0, 1949, SerialNo. 92,304

22.01aims.

This invention relates to a harvesting machine for tobacco'plants and the like-and more particularly to a harvesting machine for harvesting and hanging such plants without damaging the leaves or stalks. The harvesting of tobacco has in the past been a long, tedious'and, consequently, expensive step in the growing of tobacco. In harvesting fine tobaccoespecially, it has been necessary to cut and hang the plants by hand in order to preservethe outer leavesand stalk from damage. Since the quality of tobacco is very closely related' to the physical condition of'the leaves as well as to the'typeof tobacco, it is essential'that the-leaves be preserved in the best possible condition. It is therefore necessary that any machine used for harvesting tobacco must not only cut and" hang the plant but must do so without tearing or bruising the leaves.

It is well-known that tobacco" and certain other types of plant stalks-have, when mature,' a somewhat pithy orsoft center or even a hollow center surrounded by a harder shell-of plant material which-although it may be resilient is still strong enough to support the weight of the plant.

I have invented a harvesting machine for plants of this type, in which I'take-advantage of the characteristic stalk structure described above. My invention will cut and hangsuch plants-without damage to the exterior leaves and, in the case of tobacco, in a manner comparable tothe best hand-cut product. I shall describe the structure of my harvesting machine as particularly applied to the harvesting of tobacco but it may be used for harvesting any like plant where the problems of harvesting are similar.

The-harvesting machine of my invention comprises, in general, a main frame having severing means adapted to cut the tobacco plant adjacent the ground and a rotary conveying means pivotedon the frame and passing adjacent the severing means to carry the tobacco plant upwardvto an inverted position where it is automatically removed onto a hanger. The frame may be mounted on the side of a tractor or it may be drawn along a row of plants by any other suitable source of motive power. Connections are provided through which the severing means and the conveying means may be operated each time a plant to be harvested enters the conveying means. Removing means and connections through which said means maybe operated each'time a plant'comes adjacent the removing means are provided on the frame for 2 removing a plant delivered from'the severing means by the conveying means.

Generally, the severing means may be-inthe form of a pair of blade members pivotally mounted on abase plate which is slidable in guide members on the frame, which base plate is adapted to-draw the blades into the guide members to close them in shearing relation about a plant. The base plate may be actuated by a reciprocating armwhich is slidably engaged thereon and which has a spring loaded depressible engaging member adapted When-depressed to lock the arm-and base plate in'positive engagement. T-heconveyingmeans-is preferably made up of a-p1ura1ityof radially disposed arms extending outwardlyfrom a hub which ispivoted on the frame and is rotatable in-a vertical plane. A lifting member is pivoted: in' the end ofeach of these arms and normally extends therefrom at anangle of about This lifting member is retractible to a position parallelw-ith and'adjacent thearm uponwhichit is pivoted; Cam means on the frame adjacentthe hub act to retract and drop the lifting member at the proper time-for lifting a plant. Gripping means may be provided on each of the lifting arms for gripping the plant adjacent the severing blades before completion ofthe severing operation. This gripping means may include a plurality of spring loadedv fingers; extending forward of the conveying means and lying above-thesevering means, said fingers being held apart by-collapsible toggle arms which are connected together by-a pivot pin and which are adapted tube-collapsed by a trip member'connected-to the pivot pin and extending between the fingers where.

it is in position to strike a standing stalk. The trip means is also adapted to depress the engaging member on thereciprocating armwhich causes the arm andbase plate to engagedraw ing theknife blades back into the guide mem bers in shearing engagement about the butt of a plant held-in the fingers of the-gripping means.

The removing means may include hanger means suspended from the frame and lying ad'- jacent the circumferenceof a ci'rcle-describedby the rotating gripping means, stapling means securing the tobacco plant on the'hanger means and release means for releasing thefingers of the gripping means from about the stalk of the plant.

The connections throughwhich the various parts of the structure of this invention aremade tooperatemay be connected to the power'takeoff of the tractor used to convey it; or from 3 a source of power mounted on the frame or from any other suitable and available source of power.

In the accompanying drawing I have illustrated a present preferred embodiment of my invention in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of a tobacco harvester according to my invention;

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the same harvester with a portion of the rotating arms broken away;

Figure 3 is a partial side elevation of my tobacco harvester showing the severing means and a portion of the conveying means;

Figure 4 is a section on the line IV-IV of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a plan view of the gripping means in closed position;

Figure 6 is a plan view of the gripping means in open position;

Figure 7 is a side elevation of the removing means of my invention including stapling means, hanger member and release means;

Figure 8 is a plan view of the removing means;

Figure 9 is an end elevation of the staple box;

Figure 10 is a partial front elevation showing deflector members mounted on the frame; and

Figure 11 is a partial section through a stapled tobacco plant.

Figure 12 is a section on the line XII-XII of Figure 1.

Referring first to Figure 1, I have illustrated a tobacco harvester having a main frame generally indicated at A pair of severing blades 2 are pivotally mounted on a base plate 3 slidable in guide members 4 on the frame (see Figure 4). Each of the blades 2 has a cutting edge 5 and a rear cam surface 6 adapted to pass over a roller 1 rotatably mounted on the end of each guide member 4. A spring 8 connects the outer edge of the blade 2 with the frame I so as to maintain the blades in the open position when the base plate 3 is forward in the guide members. Spring loaded depressible engaging member 9 made up of two arms rotating on a pin 90 is mounted at the rear of the base plate 3. A spring ||l tends to keep the engaging member 9 in a generally horizontal position over the base plate. A ramp I is mounted on the front of the engaging member 9 where it cooperates with a trip member, later to be described, to force the engaging member 9 downwardly into the base plate. An arm l2, having in one end a pin I3 slidable in a slot l4 in the base plate 3, reciprocates between the guide members 4. The opposite end of the arm I2 is connected to a crank arm IS on a transverse shaft l5 journaled on the frame.

A release arm I! is pivoted intermediate its ends on a pin fixed to the frame. One end 11a of the arm H lies at the rear of the base plate 3 so that movement of the base plate causes the arm to pivot. The opposite end Nb of the arm H has an upwardly extending arm |8 pivoted thereon. The opposite end of the arm 18 carries a forked member l9 which engage the lower end of a toggle link 20 having a projecting arm 2| at right angles to its end. A second toggle link 22 is pivoted to the end of the toggle link 20 and the opposite end is mounted on a pin 23 journaled on the frame and connected to an arm 24 which cooperates with a spring 25 fastened to the frame to maintain the toggle arm 22 and the arm 2| in the generally horizontal direction. The arm 2| abuts a release 3,;

member 26 which is connected to a pair of brake members 21 forming a part of a one-revolution clutch generally indicated at 28. The brake members 2'! are mounted on a disk 29 which is firmly attached to a sleeve member 30 rotatable on a driven shaft 3|. When the release arm I! is actuated by the movement of the base plate 3 it moves the arm I8 forward along the frame causing the forked member L9 to engage the toggle link 20 which is drawn downwardly against the pressure of the spring 25. This frees the release member 26 from the arm 2| permitting the brake shoes 2'! to spring outwardly against a drum 32 which is firmly attached to the drive shaft 3|, this causes the disk 29 and sleeve 30 to rotate with the shaft 3|. A sprocket wheel 32 mounted on the sleeve 30 transmits the motion of the sleeve 30 to a second sprocket 33 through a sprocket chain 32a. The sprocket wheel 33 is mounted on a shaft 34 which passes through the frame and is journaled therein. The shaft 3|, which carrie sprocket wheel 32, is driven by a worm gear 35 which engages a worm 36 on the end of a main drive shaft 31.

The shaft I6 which actuates the cutter arm is also driven by the main drive shaft 31 through toggle arms 38 connecting a crank 39 on the main drive shaft and a toggle link 40 and crank 48a on the shaft I6. The drive shaft 31 is adapted to be driven by a V-belt connection from the power take-off of the tractor through the pulley 4| on the end of the shaft.

A plurality of conveyor arms 42 are radially disposed about a hub 43 which is fixedly mounted on the shaft 34. A lifting arm 44 is pivoted to the outer end of each radially disposed arm and is adapted to be retracted to a position adjacent the radially disposed arm 42 upon which it is pivoted by means of a link 45 and sliding member 46 mounted on the radially disposed arm. The retraction is brought about by the sliding movement of the cam member 46 as a cam follower 41 on its inner end follows a cam track 48 mounted on the frame and surrounding the shaft 34. A grippin means 49 is mounted on the lifting arm 44 adjacent its outermost end. The gripping means is made up of a plurality of fingers 50 which are fastened to the ends of sliding arms 5| mounted in a tubular member 52 which forms a part of the gripper base. The arms 5| are under tension from a pair of springs 53 which tend to draw them together at the center. The fingers 50 and the sliding arms 5| are held apart by a pair of toggle links 54 which are pivoted on a trip member 55 slidably mounted in the base of the grip means 56. The trip member 55 has a forward projecting end 57 adapted to lie ahead of the cut of the severing blades and in the center of the open fingers 50. When a plant strikes the end 51 of the trip member, the toggle links 54 are forced backward releasing the fingers 50 and the sliding arms 5! causing the fingers 50 to grip the plant stalk. At the same time, the opposite end 53 of the trip member engages the ramp II on the engaging member 9 thereby depressing the engaging member and causing the severing blades 2 to be drawn back into the guide members by the reciprocating arm l2. This movement cuts the stalk and actuates release arm I! thereby starting the conveyor.

A staple container 59 is mounted on the top of the frame. A staple track 60 extends down through the center of the container 59 and supports a load of staples in proper stapling position in the'box. A follower 61 ismounted on:.thestaple track 60' and acts. to move the staples forward in the container by reason of the tension exerted thereon bytheratchet whee1.62 and spring'steel line 63. A drivinghead 64 ismountedjin slots 65' at either side of the delivery end of the staple container. The slots have a restricted: end 65a which compresses'the barbs of a staple I-I2 as it leaves the container so that they spring out into the shell of the plant after the: staple, is. driven (see Figure 9). The driving'head slidably attached to one end of" an arm 66: pivoted on the frame. Movement of arm' 66; about its; pivot: on the frame causes the driving head. to reciprocate in the slots 65' thereby forcing: a: staple. II2into a stalk I I I. A crank armfil'mounted' 011311186.- centric 68 intermediate the endsof theshaflz 6.9 actuates the arm 66.

A supporting wheel!!! is mounted. on .theiframe so that the end of the lifting arm. 44? will rest thereon while the drivinghead'64 forcesastaple from thestaple container 59 through: the guide slot 65 over the hanger member H into the butt of the plant.

A. trip member I2 is. mounted on.a.shaft.1.3 which is journaled'on the frame.v 'I-hetrip-member I2 is adapted to lie in the path-of the. rotating arms of the conveying means- When one of" the rotating arms strikes. the tripv member 12', the trip member is raised upwardly until released by the arm. When released it. drops; downwardly and swings throughits. former position by virtue of the momentum caused by its own. weight. and the weight of a counterbalance I4 which-is suspended from the shaft 73. A. crank arm 15 on the opposite end'oftheshaft from thetrip member I2 is forced upwardly in aslot 16in arrelease arm TI. Continued movementof the crank arm '55 raises the release arm which releases a onerevolution clutch 95 connecting theshaft 80 with the shaft 69. The shaft is continuously rotated through belt connection 8Ia between a pulley 8| mounted. thereon and a pulley 82 on the main drive shaft 31-.

After a plant is stapled by the action ofthe drivehead 64; release members 88 move. against pins em on the. sliding arms 51- of the gripper means and open the gripper. fingers. Eachof the release members, 88 is pivoted at one end to the frame. A. pair of toggle links 89 are pivoted together at one end to a link 90, and the opposite end of each is pivoted on one of the release members 88. The link 99 is connected to the end of a bell crank 9I which is mounted on a rock shaft 92 journaled in the frame. Theshaft 92 is caused to oscillate by a sliding arm 93 which slides backward and forward in the guide members 94. A crank arm96'on the end of the shaft 69 engages a notch 91. in the bar 93 as the shaft rotates causing the bar to move backward in the guidemembers 94 drawing with it the crank arm 98 which is mounted on the end of the. shaft 92. A return spring 93a returns the bar 93 to its original position after released by the crank arm 96. The movement of the crank arm 98 depresses the bell crank 9| thereby applying pressure on the upper ends of the toggle links 89 which pressupon members 88 at an acute angle to the plane of their movement thereby causing them to move apart across the rollers 88a. As the members. 88 move apart they contact the gripper means; forcing them apart and opening the gripper fingers and spreads the release members 88.. At the same time, the ratchet arm 99 whichis connected. to the crank arm 98. drawsthe.ratchetwheelfiZ forward by. means of atooth I08thereon which en gages a pin I8.I on the wheel. The ratchet wheel is; moved forward the distance between two. adjacent pins and is locked in position-by means of the catch I92. which engages a pin on the ratchet wheel. The catch I92 and ratchet arm 99 are connected by a spring I83 so that the catch remains in positive engagement with the ratchet pins; I0 I at all times.

A continuously reciprocating arm 83 pivoted on the frame. carries a raking member 84 which is adapted to draw the stapled plants along the hanger member. Theraking member 84 is made up of. amain arm 84a pivoted at one end on the free end; of reciprocating, arm 93 and terminating atthe other. end in a forked member 84b having fingers adapted to pass over and lie one on each side. of the hanger member H. An auxiliary raker armv 84c. is hinged at one end to and depends from the main arm 84a adjacent its pivoted end. A second forked member 84d having fingers adapted to pass over and lie one on each side of the'hanger member II is attached to the free end of the auxiliary raker arm. When the member 83 moves forward the raking member 84 is moved forward along the hanger member untila pin.

' projecting upwardly thereon strikes the back of the frame whereupon continuedmovement of the arm 83 raises the raking member 84 permitting the stapled plants to slide downwardly beneath the rake. Back-ward movement ofthe member 84 drops the raking member behind the stapled plant and draws the plant toward the rear of the frame. The reciprocating arm 83 is connected to an eccentric Men the shaft 69 by a connecting arm 81 and shafttla.

A pneumatic tired wheel I95-is journaled on a shaft I 95a on the base of the frame I- to aid in carrying .the weight of the harvester when mounted on the side of a tractor. It is of course obvious that the number and position of such supporting wheels may be changed to suit the type of motive power. In operating the harvesting machine above described, the frame I is attached to a tractor, for example, by bolting the side member Ia of the frame I to the frame of the tractor and the pulley 4| on the main drive shaft 31 is connected through a belt to the power take-off of the tractor. If a source of motive power be used which does'not have a power takeoff, then a small gasoline motor may be mounted on theframe or any other drive means maybe utilized. The frame is moved along a tobacco row in such a manner that the trip member 55 is in line with the row of plants. As the machine is; moved forward along the row a pair of removable deflector members or snouts I I0 mounted'on the frame and extending forward thereof, one on either side of the severing blades 2, lift thelowerleaves of a plant and support them above the severing blades. On continued forward movement the contact end 51 of the trip member 55 strikes a plant stalk II I, releasing the toggle links 54 causing the gripping fingers 50 to grip the plant stalk. At the same time, the opposite end 58 of the trip member engages the ramp II on the engaging member 9 thereby depressing. the engaging member and causing the severing blades 2 to be drawn back into the guide members 4 by the reciprocating arm I2 which is continuously driven from the main drive shaft 31 by the transverse shaft I6 and crank arm I5. The-movement of the severing blades as directed byzthe cam surfacesifi and rollers I cuts the plant stalk and leaves it free from the ground, supported only by the gripping fingers.

When the blades are drawn back the release arm I1 is pivoted on the frame and acts through the linkage made up of members whose action has previously been described to release the brake members 21 of the one-revolution clutch 28. These brake members spring outward against the drum 32 and connect the sleeve 30 with the continuously rotating shaft 3| which is driven by the main drive shaft 31 through the worm 36 and worm gear 35.

The sleeve 30, carrying sprocket wheel 32, rotates one revolution and is stopped by the release member 26 of the brake members striking the arm 2| thereby releasing the brake members from the drum.

The rotation of the sprocket wheel 32 is transmitted by a sprocket chain 32a to the sprocket wheel 33 which is mounted on a shaft 34 carrying the conveyor arms 42. The diameter of the sprocket wheel 33 is so related to the diameter of the sprocket wheel 32 that one revolution of sprocket wheel 32 will turn the conveyor arms 42 only the distance between two arms. In this way an arm carrying a tobacco stalk in its gripping fingers will be moved away and replaced by the next adjacent arm each time the sprocket 32 makes a single revolution As the conveyor arms 42 revolve they carry the plant stalks about a circle so that when the stalk comes adjacent a point about 145 from the point where it was cut it is in substantially inverted position. At this point, the end of lifting arm 44, which is pivoted on the conveyor arm and which carries the gripping means and stalk, rests upon the supporting wheel 10.

In rotating to this point, however, the conveyor arm must strike the trip member 12 which when released swings downwardly actuating the release arm TI which lifts a stop 95a permitting the one-revolution clutch 95 to connect the continuously rotating shaft 89 with the shaft 69. The shaft 80 is connected through a pulley 8| and belt 8la to a pulley 4! on the main drive shaft 31. When the shaft 69 rotates through one revolution, the arm 66 is first drawn downwardly which forces the driving head 64 down the slots 65 in the delivery container carrying with it a staple H2. The staple passes down over the hanger member H into the cut end of the stalk which is held in inverted position by the gripping fingers. As the shaft 69 continues its rotation and starts to lift the arm 66, the crank arm 96 on the end of the shaft 69 engages the notch 91 in the sliding arm 92 and draws it back through the guide members 94. The sliding arm is connected to the crank arm 98 which rotates the shaft 92 for a part of a revolution when the sliding arm moves. This causes the bell crank 9| to spread the toggle links 89 and thereby spread the release members 88 which move against pins 51a on the sliding arms 51. This opens the gripping fingers 59 to a point where toggle links 54 lock them in the open position and releases the staple plant stalk which is suspended on the hanger member by the staple driven into its cut end.

When the crank arm 98 oscillates its also draws the ratchet arm 99 in the direction of oscillation. This causes the tooth I89 on the ratchet arm to engage a pin lOI' on the ratchet wheel 62 and to rotate the ratchet wheel the distance between a pair of the pins on said ratchet wheel. This in turn draws the follower 6| along the staple track 60 forcing a new staple in position for stapling. As the crank arm 96 rotates the remainder of its revolution it releases the sliding arm which is drawnback to its original position by the spring 93a, bringing the release members 88 back to normal position and moving the ratchet arm back away from the pin NH. The ratchet catch I02 then holds the ratchet wheel in its new position by engaging one of the pins NH.

The stapled stalk III, which is now suspended on the hanger member H by the staple H2, is drawn toward the rear of the frame by the raking member 84 whose movement has already been described. As the stapled stalks accumulate they are forced back from the hanger member H onto a secondary hanger member or "lath I06 which is suspended on one end in a troughlike end Ha on the hanger member and on the other end by a rotating turntable 101 which is adapted to hold a plurality of such laths. The turntable has a plurality of slotted holders I08, each of which is adapted to hold a lath. Each of these holders is pivoted on the turntable so that the laths can be carried in the vertical direction and each has a leveling screw I99 below it to bear the weight of the lath and contents when lowered to the horizontal position. When a lath is filled with plants it is removed from its position between the hanger member H and the turntable I81 and is placed on a rack wagon for transfer to the drying barns. A new lath is then immediately moved into position for filling.

The lifting arm 44 moves away from the supporting wheel 10 when a new plant is contacted and is retracted into a position adjacent and parallel to the radially disposed conveyor arm 42 by the action of cam member 46, cam follower 41 and cam track 48. The lifting arm remains in this position until ready to drop into position over the severing means to receive the next plant in the row at which time the same cam mechanism drops it into place. This retracting mechanism is designed to prevent injury to succeedin plants in the row by the movement of the lifting arms.

While-I have shown and described a present preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A harvesting machine for tobacco plants and the like comprising a main frame, severing means on the frame, rotatable conveying means including a plurality of radially disposed arms mounted on a hub pivoted on the frame and adapted to rotate in a vertical plane, a lifting member pivoted in the end of each arm and having gripping means mounted thereon for gripping the plant adjacent the severing means, trip means on the gripping means adapted to close said gripping means about the plant, connections actuated by said trip means and connecting the severing means, the conveying means and a source of power whereby the severing means and conveying means are operated each time a standing plant strikes the trip means, and removing means mounted on the frame adjacent the circumference of the circle formed by the rotating conveying means and actuated thereby for removing the harvested plant from the gripping means.

2. A harvesting machine for tobacco plants and the like comprising a main frame, severing means on the frame, rotary conveying means pivoted on the frame topass adjacent the severing means,

connections between the severing means, the conveying means and a source of power whereby the severing means and conveying means are intermittently operated each time a standing plant to be harvested enters the conveying means, hanger means suspended from the frame, a portion of which extends substantially tangential to the circumference of the circle formed by the rotating conveying means, stapling means mounted on the frame adjacent the hanger means for securing the tobacco plant on the hanger means and connections actuated by the conveying means and connecting the source of power and the stapling means whereby the stapling means is operated intermittently each time a plant comes adjacent the hanger means.

3. A harvesting machine for tobacco plants and the like comprising a main frame, severing means on the frame, rotary conveying means pivoted on the frame to pass adjacent the severing means, gripping means on the conveying means for gripping the butt of the plant adjacent the severing means, trip means on the gripping means, connections actuated by the trip means and connecting the severing means, the conveying means and a source of power whereby the severing means and conveying means are intermittently operated each time a standing plant strikes the trip means, hanger means suspended from the frame so as to lie adjacent the circumference of the circle formed by the rotating conveying means, stapling means mounted on the frame adjacent the hanger means securing the tobacco plant on the 'hanger means and connections are-- tuated by the conveying means and connecting the source of power and the stapling means whereby the stapling means is made to operate intermittently-each time a plant comes adjacent the hanger means.

4. A harvesting machine for tobacco and the like plants comprising a main frame, severing means on the frame, rotatable conveying means pivoted on the frame to rotate in a vertical plane, gripping means on the conveying means for gripping the butt of the plant adjacent the severing means, trip means on the gripping means, connections actuated by the trip means and connecting the severing means the conveying means and a source of power whereby the severing means and conveyings means may be operated each time a standing plant strikes the trip means, hanger means suspended from the frame so as to be in spaced apart relation to the circumference of the circle made by the rotating grippin means and extending in a generally horizontal direction,

stapling means mounted on the frame adjacent the hanger means, for securing the planton the hanger means, release means on the frame adjacent the stapling means for releasing the plant from the gripping means and connections actuated by the conveying means and connecting the source of power with the stapling means and the release means whereby the staplin means and release means may be made to operate successively each time a plant comes adjacent the hanger means.

5. A harvesting machine for tobacco and the like plant comprising a main frame, severing means on the frame, rotatable conveying means pivoted on the frame to rotate in a vertical plane, gripping means on the conveying means for gripping the plant adjacent the severing means, trip means onthe gripping means causing the gripping means to engage the plant before completion of the severing operation, connections actuated by the trip means and connecting the severing means, the conveying means and a source of power whereby the severing means and conveying means are intermittently operated each time a standing plant strikes the trip means, hanger means suspended from the frame adjacent the circumference of a circle made by the rotating gripping means, stapling means on the frame on the opposite side of the hanger means, from the conveying means inserting a staple over the hanger means and into the tobacco plant in the gripping means, release means on the frame adjacent the gripping means for releasing the plant from the grip-ping means and connections actuated .by the conveying means and connecting the source of power with the stapling means and release means whereby the stapling means and release means may be made to operate successively and intermittently each time a plant butt comes adjacent the hanger means.

6. A harvesting machine for tobacco and the like plant comprising a main frame, a pair of severing members mounted on the frame in shearing relation, rotatable conveying means pivoted on'the frame to rotate in avertical plane to raise a severed plant to the inverted position,

gripping means on the conveying means for gripping the plant adjacent the severing members,

trip means on the gripping means, connections actuated by the trip means and connecting the severing means,the conveying means and a source of power whereby the severing means and conveying means may be successively and intermittently operated each time a standing plant strikes the trip means, hanger means suspended from the frame adjacent the circumference of a circle made by the rotating gripping means, stapling means mounted on the frame adj acentthe hanger means inserting a staple over the hanger means and into a plant .butt thereby securing the tobacco plant on the :hanger means, release means on the frame adjacent the stapling means for releasing the plant from the gripping means, and connections actuated by the conveying'means and connecting the source of power with the stapling means and the release means whereby the stapling means and: release means may be made to operate successively and intermittently each time a plant butt comesadjacent the hanger means.

7. A harvesting machine for tobaccoplants and the like comprising a main frame, severingmeans on the frame, rotatable conveying means including a plurality of radially disposed arms mounted on a hub pivoted on the frame and adapted to rotate in avertical plane, a lifting member pivoted in the end of each arm and having gripping means mounted thereon fOl gripping a plant adjacent the severing means, trip means on the gripping means adapted to close the gripping means about the plant, connections actuated by the trip means and connecting the severing means, the conveying means and a source of power whereby the severing means and conveying means may be successively and intermittently operated each time a standing plant strikes the trip means, hanger means suspended from the frame and lying adjacent the circumference of a circle described by the rotating gripping means, stapling means mounted on the frame on the side of the hanger means opposite the conveying means inserting a staple over the hanger means and. into a plant butt thereby'securing the tobacco plant on the hanger means, release means on the frame adjacent the stapling means releasing the plant from the gripping means after the staple is inserted, and connections actuated by the conveying means and connecting the source of power with the stapling means and the release means whereby the stapling means and release means may be made to operate successively and intermittently each time a plant butt comes adjacent the hanger means.

8. A harvesting machine for tobacco plants and the like comprising a main frame, a pair of severing members mounted on the frame in shearing relation, rotatable conveying means including a plurality of radially disposed arms extending outwardly from a hub mounted on the frame and adapted to rotate in a vertical plane, a lifting member pivoted in the end of each arm, cam means on the hub raising and lowering the lifting members at predetermined points in the rotation of the arms, gripping means mounted on the lifting members for gripping a plant adjacent the severing members, trip means on the gripping means adapted to close the gripping means about the plant, connections actuated by the trip means and connecting the severing means, the conveying means and a source of power whereby the severing means and conveying means may be successively operated each time a standing plant strikes the trip means, hanger means suspended from the frame and lying adjacent the circumference of a circle described by the rotating gripping means, stapling means on the frame adjacent the hanger means inserting a staple over the hanger means and into a plant butt thereby securing the tobacco plant on the hanger means, release means on the frame for releasing the plant from the gripping means, and connections actuated by the conveying means and connectig the source of power with the staplig means and release means whereby the stapling means and release means may be made to operate successively each time a plant butt comes adjacent the hanger means.

9. A harvesting machine for tobacco plants and the like comprising a main frame, severing means on the frame, rotatable conveying means pivoted on the frame to rotate in a vertical plane, gripping means on the conveying means for gripping a plant adjacent the severing means, said gripping means including a plurality of spring loaded curved fingers extending forward of the conveying means and lying above the severing means, said fingers being held apart by collapsible toggle arms, a trip member connected to a pivot pin between the toggle arms to collapse the toggle arms and close the fingers about the plant each time a plant strikes the trip member, connections actuated by the trip means and connecting the severing means, the conveying means and a source of power whereby the severing means and conveying means may be successively operated each time a standing plant strikes the trip means, hanger means suspended from the frame and lying adjacent the circumference of a circle described by the rotating gripping means, stapling means mounted on the frame on the side of the hanger means opposite the conveying means inserting a staple over the hanger means and into a plant butt thereby securing the tobacco plant on the hanger means, release means on the frame adjacent the circle described by the rotating gripping means for releasing the plant from the gripping means, and connections actuated by the conveying means and connecting the source of power with the stapling means and the release means whereby the stapling means and release 12 means may be made to operate successively each time a plant butt comes adjacent the hanger means.

10. A harvesting machine for tobacco plants and the like comprising a main frame, a pair of severing blades pivoted on a base plate, said base plate being slidably mounted in guide members on the frame, a reciprocating arm slidably engaging the base plate, a spring loaded depressible engaging member on the reciprocating arm adapted when depressed to lock the arm and base plate into positive engagement, connections actuated by the movement of the base plate and connecting the reciprocating arm and a source of power whereby the reciprocating arm may be actuated, rotatable conveying means pivoted on the frame to rotate in a vertical plane and to raise a severed plant to the inverted position, gripping means on the conveying means for gripping a plant adjacent the severing blades before completion of the severing operation, trip means on the gripping means, said trip means causing the gripping means to close and the engaging member on the reciprocating arm to depress each time the trip means strikes a standing stalk, release means pivoted on the frame and actuated by the base plate to release the conveying means, connections between the source of power and the reciprocating arm connections operating the conveying means each time said conveying means is released by the base plate, hanger means suspended from the frame and lying adjacent the circumference of a circle described by the rotating gripping means, stapling means mounted on the frame on the side of the hanger means opposite the conveying means inserting a staple over the hanger means and into a plant butt thereby securing the plant on the hanger means, a second release means on the frame adjacent the circle described by the rotating gripping means and connections from the stapling means and the second release to the reciprocating arm connections whereby the stapling means and release means operate successively and intermittently each time a plant butt comes adjacent the hanger means.

11. A harvesting machine for tobacco plants and the like comprising a main frame, a pair of severing blades pivoted on a base plate, said base plate being slidably mounted in guide members on the frame to close the blades in shearing relation, a reciprocating arm slidably engaging the base plate, a spring loaded, depressible engaging member on the reciprocating arm adapted when depressed to lock the arm and base plate in positive engagement, connections between the reciprocating arm and a source of power whereby the reciprocating arm may be continuously actuated, rotatable conveying means including a plurality of radially disposed arms extending outwardly from a hub pivoted on the frame and rotatable in a vertical plane, a lifting member pivoted in the end of each arm and normally extending therefrom at an angle of about said lifting member being retractible to a position parallel with and adjacent the arm, cam means adjacent the hub for retracting the lifting member during a portion of the rotation of the conveying means, gripping means mounted on the lifting member for gripping a plant, adjacent the severing blades, trip means on the gripping means closing the gripping means and depressing the engaging member on the reciprocating arm each time the trip means strikes a standing stalk, release means on the frame energized by the movement of the base plate to release the conveying means, connectionsrbetween the conveying ,means'and the reciprocating arm connections-throughwhichthe conveying means may, be intermittently operated each time said conveying means is released by the base plate, hanger means suspended from the frame and lying adjacent the circumference of a circle described by the-rotating, grippingmeans, staplingmeans on the frame adjacent the hanger means inserting a staple over the hanger means and into a plant butt thereby securing the tobacco plant on the hanger means, a second release means adjacent the stapling means and a circle described by the rotating gripping means. for releasing the plant from the gripping means, and connections with the reciprocating arm connections through which the staplingmeansandrelease means may be made'to operatesuccessively and intermittently each time a plant butt comes adjacent the hanger means.

12. A harvesting machine "for tobacco plants and thelike comprising-a main frame, a pair of severing blades pivoted on a base plate, saidbase plate being slidably mounted in guide members on the frame with the severing blades in shearing engagement when-the base plate moves in the guide members, a reciprocating armslidably engaging the base plate,-a spring loaded depressible engaging member on the reciprocating arm adapted when depressed-to lock the arm and base plate in positive engagement, connections between the reciprocating arm and a source of power whereby the reciprocating arm may be actuated, rotatable conveying means pivoted on the frame to rotate in a vertical direction, grippingmeans on'theconveyingmeans for gripping a plantadjacent the severing blades, said gripping means includinga plurality of spring loaded fingers extending forward of the conveying means and lyingabove the severing means, said fingers beings held apart by collapsible toggle arms, a trip member connected to a pivotpin between the toggle arms and adapted to collapse the toggle arms and 'close the fingers about the plant and to depress the engaging member on the reciprocating arm each time the trip member'strikes a standing plant, release meanspiv- 'oted on the frame and actuated by the movement of the base plate to release the conveying means, connections between the conveying means and the reciprocating arm connections'through which the conveying means maybe intermittently operated each time said conveying means is released by thebase plate, hanger means suspended from the frame and lying adjacent the circumference of acircle described by the rotating gripping means, stapling means on the frame adjacent the hangermeans inserting a staple over the hanger means and into a'plant but thereby securing the tobacco plant on the hanger means, release means on the frame adjacent the stapling means for releasing the plant from the gripping means, and connections to the reciprocating arm connections operating the stapling means and release means-successively and intermittently'each time a plant butt comes adjacent the hanger means.

frame and'rotatable in a vertical plane, a lifting member pivoted in the end of each arm and normally extending therefrom at an angle of about 90, said lifting member being retractible to a position parallel with and adjacent each arm, :cam means adjacent the 'hub for retracting the lifting-member during a'portion of the -rotation of the conveying'means, gripping means on the lifting member for grasping'a plant-adjacent the severing means, said gripping means including a plurality of spring loaded finger-s extending forward of the conveying means and lying above the severing means, said fingers being held apart by collapsible toggle arms, a trip member connected to a pivot pin between the toggle arms and adapted to collapse the-toggle arms and close the fingers about the plant, connections actuated by the trip member and connecting the severing means, the conveying means and a source of powerwhereby the severing means and the conveying means may be successively and intermittently operated each time the trip member strikes a standing stalk, hanger means suspended from the frame and lying-adjacentthe circumference ofa circle described by the rotating gripping means, stapling means mounted on the'frameonthe-opposite side of the hanger means .from the conveying means securing the tobacco plant on thehanger-means, release means adjacent-the stapling rneans releasing the plant-from the gripping means after the plantis stapled, and connections fromithesource of power to the stapling means and release means whereby the stapling means and release means successively and intermittently operate eachitime aplant butt .comes adjacent thehanger means.

.14. Aiharvesting machine for tobacco plants and the like comprising a main frame, severing means on the frame, rotatable conveying means pivoted onzthe frame'to rotate-Vina vertical plane, grippingmeans mounted .on the conveyor means for grasping a plant at a pointadjacentthe severing means, connections from alsource of power whereby the severing means and conveying means are successively and intermittently 'operated each time a standing plant enters the grippin means, Ihanger means suspended from the frame in spaced apart relation to the circumference of the'circle made by "the rotating gripping means, stapling means on the -frame for securing the plant on the hangermeans, said stapling means including a staple container adapted to feed staples to a point adjacent the hanger means on the sideopposite the conveying means, drive -'means -on the end of the staple container for driving a staple from the con- 'tainer to-pass over the'hanger-means and into a plant-butt'held'in the gripping means, release means mounted on the frame adjacent the hanger means releasing the plant from the gripping means after the staple is inserted into the plant butt and connections from thesourceof power to "the drive means and release means wherebythe drive-means and release means are successively and intermittently operated each time a plant comes adjacent the hanger =means.

15. A harvesting machine for tobacco plants and the likecomprising a mainframe, severing means on the frame, rotatable conveying means pivoted on the frame to rotate in a vertica1 plane, gripping means mounted on the conveyor means for-gripping a plant at a point adjacent the'severing means, connections to a source of power whereby the severing means and conveying means may be successively and intermittently operated each time a standing plant enters the gripping means, hanger means suspended'from the'frame at a point adjacent the circumference ofa circle made by the conveying means and includinga curvedsupportingmember .having a :U-shaped 15 channel at one end thereof and a removable member having one end inserted in and supported by said channel and having the other end supported by a turntable pivoted on the rear of the frame and rotatable in a horizontal plane, stapling means on the frame inserting a staple over the hanger means and into a plant butt thereby securing the plant on the hanger means, release means mounted on the frame adjacent the hanger means releasing the plant from the gripping means and connections actuated by the conveying means and connecting the source of power to the drive means and release means whereby the drive means and release means are successively and intermittently operated each time a plant comes adjacent the hanger means.

16. A harvesting machine for tobacco plants and the like comprising a main frame, severing means on the frame, rotatable conveying means pivoted on the frame to rotate in a vertical plane, gripping means mounted on the conveyor means for gripping a plant at a point adjacent the severing means, connections between the severing means and conveying means whereby they are successively and intermittently operated each time a standing plant enters the gripping means, hanger means suspended from the frame and including a curved supporting member having a U- shaped channel at one end thereof and a removable member having one end inserted in and supported by said channel and having the other end supported by a turntable pivoted on the rear of the frame and rotatable in a horizontal plane, stapling means on the frame securing the plant on the hanger means, said stapling means including a staple container adapted to deliver staples to a point adjacent the curved supporting member of the hanger means on the side opposite the conveying means, drive means on the end of the staple container for driving a staple from the container to pass over the hanger means and into a plant butt held in the gripping means, release means on the frame adjacent the hanger means releasing the plant from the gripping means after the staple is inserted into the plant butt and connections between the severing means and conveying means connections and the drive means and release means whereby the drive means and release means are successively and intermittently operated each time a plant comes adjacent the hanger means.

17. A harvesting machine for tobacco plants and the like comprising a main frame, severing means on the frame, rotatable conveying means pivoted on the frame to rotate in a vertical plane, gripping means mounted on the conveyor means for gripping a plant at a point adjacent the severing means, connections to a source of power whereby thesevering means and conveying means may be successively and intermittently operated each time a standing plant enters the gripping means, hanger means suspended from the frame and including a curved supporting member having a U-shaped channel at one end thereof and a removable member having one end inserted in and supported by said channel and having the other end supported by a turntable pivoted on the rear of the frame and rotatable in a horizontal plane, stapling means on the frame for securing the plant on the hanger means, said stapling means including a staple container delivering staples to a point adjacent the curved supporting member of the hanger means on the side opposite the conveying means, drive means on the end of the staple container driving a staple from th container to pass over the hanger means and into a. plant butt held in the gripping means, release means for releasing the plant from the gripping means after the staple is inserted into the plant butt and connections actuated by the conveyor means and connecting the drive means and release means to the source of power whereby the drive means and release means are successively and intermittently operated each time a plant comes adjacent the hanger means, an arm pivoted on the frame above the hanger means and extending downwardly to a point adjacent the hanger means, downwardly extending fingers on the end of said arm opposite the pivot, a second arm pivoted on the end thereof adjacent the hanger means and having downwardly extending fingers thereon, said fingers of both arms fitting about the hanger means, stop means on the first arm preventing the second arm from assuming an obtuse angle with the first arm, cam means for reciprocating said first arm to cause the fingers of the both arms to draw the stapled plants along the hanger means and connections to the power source continuously driving said cam means.

18. A harvesting machine for tobacco plants and the like comprising a main frame, severing means on the frame, rotatable conveying means pivoted on the frame to rotate in a vertical plane, gripping means mounted on the conveyor means for gripping a plant at a point adjacent the severing means, connections between the severing means and conveying means whereby they may be successively and intermittently operated each time a standing plant entersthe gripping means, hanger means suspended from the frame in spaced apart relation to the circumference of the circle made by the rotating gripping means, stapling means on the frame adjacent the hanger means insertin a staple over the hanger means into a plant butt held in the gripping means thereby securing the plant on the hanger means, a pair of release members pivoted at one end on the frame and lying in normally parallel spaced apart relationship on either side of the hanger means, each of said releasing members adapted to engage a pin on each side of the gripping means when it comes adjacent the hanger means, toggle links connected to the releasing members, rotating crank means for alternately spreading the toggle links apart thereby spreading the unpivoted ends of the releasing members and opening the gripping means, and connections actuated by the conveying means and connecting the stapling means and the crank means to the connection between the severing means and conveying means whereby the stapling means and crank means are successively and intermittently operated each time a plant comes adjacent the hanger means.

19. A harvestin machine for tobacco plants and the like comprising a main frame, severing means on the frame, rotatable conveying means pivoted on the frame to rotate in a vertical plane, gripping means mounted on the conveyor means for gripping a plant at a point adjacent the severing means, connections from a source of power to the severing means and conveying means whereby the severing means and conveying means may be successively and intermittently operated each time a standing plant enters the gripping means, hanger means suspended from the frame and including a curved supporting member having a U-shaped channel at one end thereof and a removable member having one end inserted in and supported by said channel and having the other end supported by a turntable pivoted on the rear of the frame and rotatable in a hori-' zontal plane, stapling means on the framelinserting a staple over the hanger means and into a plant butt held in the gripping means thereby securing the plant at one end on the frame and lying in normally parallel spaced apart relationship on either side of the hanger means; each. of said release members adapted to engage a pin on each side of the gripping means when it comes adjacent the hanger means, toggle links cone nected to the releasing members, ,rOtating crank means, for alternately spreading the toggle links apart thereby spreading the unpivoted ends of the releasing members and opening the gripping means, and connections actuated by the convoy ing means from the source of power to the stapling means and crank means whereby the stapling means and the crank means are successively and intermittently operated each time a plant comes adjacent the hanger means.

20. A harvesting machine for tobacco plants and the like comprising a main frame, severing means on the frame, rotatable conveying means pivoted on the frame to rotate in a vertical plane, gripping means mounted on the conveyor means for gripping a plant at a point adjacent the severing means, connections actuated by the entrance of a plant into the gripping means connecting the severing means, the conveying means and a source of power whereby the severing means and conveying means may be successively and intermittently operated each time a standing plant enters the grippin means, hanger means suspended from the frame in spaced apart relation to the circumference of the circle made by the rotating gripping means, stapling means on the frame for securing the plant on the hanger means, said stapling means including a staple container, adapted to feed staples to a point adjacent the hanger means on the side opposite the conveying means, drive meanson the end of the staple container for driving a staple from the container to pass over the hanger means and into a plant butt held in the gripping means, a pair of release members, pivoted at one end on the frame and lying in normally parallel spaced apart relationship on either side of the hanger means, each of said releasing members adapted to engage a pin on each side of the grasping means when it comes adjacent the hanger means, toggle links connected to the releasing members, rotating crank means for alternately spreading the toggle links apart thereby spreading the unpivoted ends of the releasing members and opening the gripping means, and connections actuated by the conveying means and connecting the stapling means and the crank means to the source of power whereby the stapling means and the crank means are successively and intermittently operated each time a plant comes adjacent the hanger means.

21. A harvesting machine for tobacco plants and the like comprising a main frame, severing means on the frame, rotatable conveying means pivoted on the frame to rotate in a vertical plane, gripping means mounted on the conveyor means for gripping a plant at a point adjacent the severing means, connections actuated by the entrance of a plant into the gripping means connecting the severing means, the conveying means and a source of power whereby the severing means and conveying means may be successively and intermittently operated each time a standing plant enters the gripping means, hanger means suspended'from the: frame and including a curved supporting member having a U-shaped channel atone end thereof and a removable member having one end inserted in and supported by said channel and having the other endsuppo-rted by a turntable pivoted on the rear of the frame and rotatable in a horizontal plane, stapling means on the frame inserting a staple over the hanger means intoa plant-butt held in the gripping means securing the plant on the hanger means, a pair of release iembe'rs, pivoted at one end on the frame and lying in normally parallel spaced apart relationship on-either side of the hanger means, each-of said releasing members adapted. to engagea pin on each side of the gripping means when it comes adjacent the hanger means, toggle links connected to the releasing members, rotating crank means for alternately spreading the toggle links apart thereby spreading the unpivoted ends of the releasing members and opening the gripping means, and connections actuated by the conveying means and connecting the stapling means and the crank means to the source of power whereby the stapling means and the crank means are successively and intermittently operated each time a plant comes adjacent the hanger means.

22. A harvesting machine for tobacco plants and the like comprising a main frame adapted to be attached to a tractor or other source of motor power, a pair of severing blades pivoted in shearing relation on a base plate, said base plate being slidably mounted in guide members on the frame to draw the blades into the guide members, means on said guide members for closing the severing blades in shearing relation when drawn into the guide members, a reciprocating arm slidably engaging the base plate, said reciprocating arm being pivoted at its end opposite the base plate on a rotating crank arm, connections from the source of power whereby the crank arm may be rotated, a spring loaded depressible engaging member on the reciprocating arm adapted when depressed to lock the arm and base plate in positive engagement, rotatable conveying means including a plurality of radially disposed arms extending out- Wardly from a hub pivoted on the frame and rotatable in a vertical plane, a lifting member pivoted in the end of each arm and normally extending therefrom at an angle of about said lifting member being retractible to a position parallel with and adjacent the arm upon which it is pivoted, cam means on the hub for retracting the lifting member during a portion of the rotation of the conveying means, gripping means mounted on the lifting member, for gripping a plant adjacent the severing blades, trip means on the gripping means causing the gripping means to close and the engaging member on the reciprocating arm to depress each time the trip means strikes a standing stalk, release means on the frame actuated by the movement of the base plate releasing the con veying means, connections from the crank arm connection whefeby the conveying means may be intermittently operated each time said release means is actuated, hanger means suspended from the frame in spaced apart relation to the circumference of the circle made by the rotating gripping means, stapling means on the frame securing the lant on the hanger means, said stapling means including a staple container adapted to feed staples to a point adjacent the hanger means, drive means on the end-of the staple container for driving a staple from the container to pass over the hanger means into a plant butt held in the gripping means, said drive means being connected to an arm rotatable on a crank shaft journaled on the frame, a second release means on the frame adjacent the hanger means releasing the plant from the gripping means after the staple is inserted into the plant butt, said second release means being connected to an arm on the rotatable crank shaft at a position about 90 behind the drive means arm, trip means pivoted on the frame and lying in the path of the rotating conveying arms, clutch means actuated by the trip means to connect the crank shaft to a rotating drive shaft each time an arm strikes the trip means, said drive shaft being journaled on the frame in the line of the crank shaft and connections between the power source and the crank arm connections of the reciprocating arm whereby the drive shaft may be rotated. I

GLYDE L. sownfii REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent? UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,134,184 (100k ADI. 6; 1915 2,477;068 La MOtt :2.. z July 26, 1949 Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,564,614 August 14, 1951 CLYDE L. SOWERS It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

Column 9, line 50, for conveyings read conveying; column 11, line 38, for connectig read connecting; line 39, for staplig read stapling; column 13, line 40, for beings read being; line 57, for but read butt;

and that the said Letters Patent should be read as corrected above, so that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Oflice.

Signed and sealed this 20th day of November, A. D. 1951.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Gammz'ssioner of Patents. 

